’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
Iridium−tipped spark plugs
D Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high−speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
Your engine is fitted with iridium−tipped
spark plugs.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
NOTICE
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
Use only iridium−tipped spark plugs
and do not adjust gaps for your en-
gine performance and smooth drive-
ability.
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on
page 226 in Section 7−2.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
2003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
160
English 
